With their Bee Venom products being featured across the globe in publications such as The Daily Mail, Vogue and Elle gracing the shelves of massive stores like Sephora, Manuka Doctor is a Kiwi brand looking set on a global domination of the Bee Venom market.
We caught up with Manuka Doctor's Nicola Macfarlane to find out more.
Tell us a bit about yourself
Growing up in Hong Kong I was surrounded by beautiful and stylish professional people who looked great. There was always a new trend to try which made things interesting – whether it be skincare, clothes or new ‘it’ areas to dine. It sounds clichéd, but appearance influences how you feel. Its incredibly rewarding to help people look and achieve their best self. Consumers have great expectations – products to enhance their life rather than interfere with them and the approach to maintaining a youthful appearance is no exception. So from a career history in pharmaceutical advertising to the skincare industry both offer great opportunities to be part of making people feel good.
What is your background? How long have you been in the Beauty Industry?
Having been part of the export honey industry in New Zealand in a separate business since 2006, one the founding concepts of Manuka Doctor was to increase the market size and scope of Manuka Honey as a value added raw ingredient. What we wanted to do was to commercialise researched and proven new, innovative beauty ingredients with the synergy of science and nature. Manuka Doctor Purified Bee Venom (PBVTM) with Manuka honey skincare range was that new venture.
Launched in November 2011, Manuka Doctor’s dedication to product innovation, creativity and excellence has seen the skincare brand rapidly assume global award winning status. Although the launch was recent, the RnD that went into bringing Manuka Doctor to the market was years in the making. Propelled into the beauty market with its hero product Manuka Doctor ApiNourish Rejuvenating Purified Bee Venom Face Mask, I am proud to say that the brand continues to grow from strength to strength.
How did the idea to launch the Brand come about?
A skincare brand has been on the business plan for quite a while, but until we had a USP with proven results we continued to research into unique ApiTherapy ingredients to provide a strong platform for launching new brands. Purified Bee Venom (PBVTM) is Manuka Doctor’s new Beauty Industry Innovator.
The beauty industry is hungry for innovation and 'the next best thing' - venom sounds exciting and 'on the edge'. It has been a natural progression from sourcing ingredients from the hive - first we had Manuka Honey, then Royal Jelly and Propolis. Now after intensive research, we have discovered the astounding skincare benefits of Purified Bee Venom (PBVTM). Due to our ongoing heavy investment into researching the age defying and anti-bacterial effects of this wonder ingredient, we can expect it to thrive over the next few years.
What is the philosophy behind the brand? What does it stand for?
The aim was to launch a brand based on ingredients sourced from the hive. To launch into the cluttered beauty stage a brand that stands out and commands attention both in terms of press coverage and recognised global sales. To challenge the consumers status quo and get them to consider their skincare regimen from a different perspective.
Proven results into Purified Bee Venom (PBVTM) anti-ageing and anti-bacterial effects on the skin led to the development of Manuka Doctor and it's ApiTherapy based ApiNourish, ApiClear and ApiRefine skincare ranges. The formulations had to be luxurious creams and serums, combining clinically proven active ingredients to both make visual cosmetic short term changes to skincare as well as targeting aging at its primary source, the dermis.
Manuka Doctor strives to provide the appropriate balance of essential ingredients formulated to offer functional natural solutions. Environmental elements aren't always kind to skin. Manuka Doctor skincare range is designed to be kind - synergistic formulations that are naturally good for you.
To many people, you would have their dream job, what is the best thing about working for such a gorgeous beauty brand?
Having a bathroom full of products that you have helped create and bring to the market that you are proud of. From the product, brand design and functional benefits the brand is everything anyone could want in a skincare product. I use all the Manuka Doctor products at different times so have a large collection of products that are either in the market now or I am working through New Product Development phase so are being trialed.
It sounds like you have a really glamorous job; do you rub shoulders with the rich and famous?
Millie MacIntosh – UK make up artist and TV Star of Made In Chelsea is a spokesperson for Manuka Doctor. I have met her and she is lovely.
Apart from her, not really not that I know of.
What is your best selling product?
Manuka Doctor ApiNourish Rejuvenating FaceMask & the new ApiRefine Instant Effects products are flying off the shelf.
What is it about this product that makes it so popular?
The product works. Manuka Doctor’s guarantee that proprietary combination of ingredients are at concentration levels that provides effective skincare solutions also adds to customer assurance as does technical backing of expertise research, Dermatological testing and independent laboratory testing. Successfully combining powerful natural ingredients and cutting-edge formulation technology, Manuka Doctor produces the most extensive and functional Purified Bee Venom (PBV™) skincare collection.
The brand credentials – Derm tested, Clinically proven, Award winning, celebrity fans, extensive product range.
We have been lucky to have the endorsement of a leading dermatologist
“There is convincing clinical data to support Purified Bee Venom’s effectiveness in anti-ageing, particularly in the prevention of photo ageing and the repair of damaged skin cells.”
Dr Sunil Chopra, Clinical Director of the London Dermatology Clinic
The press coverage has definitely helped – Manuka Doctor has been seen in Fashion Quarterly, Australian Womans Weekly and New Idea plus internationally in the likes of Vogue, Elle, Grazia and UK Daily Mail.
What’s your favourite product from your range?
Hard question! For a luxurious treat at home I love the ApiNourish FaceMask as it means I take a bit more time for myself …. and the results of the mask really help hydrate my skin particularly after long haul flying or after the great summer of outdoors we’ve just had in NZ!
Or for a quick appearance boost I love the new ApiRefine range which is designed to provide instant cosmetic whilst delivering long term benefits. Everyone wants a quick fix and to keep their skin looking and feeling youthful.
What advice would you give to someone reading this who would like to do what you’ve done?
There are many different ways to be involved in an amazing New Zealand brand like Manuka Doctor – know what your strengths are and invest time in yourself to train in that arena. For example if you are into science – formulation might be a skincare area that you choose to head into for a career or if you are creative packaging for skincare is really important so a great design course could help kick start your career.
Also if you are serious about getting into the skincare industry – make sure to look after your own from any age! Always take your make up off at night, add a serum like our ApiNourish Age-Defying Serum into your daily regimen to feed your skin and always wear sunblock.
What’s been the biggest highlight of your career so far?
I can’t decide on one…. So my 3 highlights so far are;
1. Winning Best New Brand at CEW UK Beauty awards for 2 years in a row – the first time just 5 months after launching in the United Kingdom. Going on stage to receive the Lalique trophy was a thrill when you are in a room of beauty veteran brands and beauty journalists from the likes of Vogue/Elle.
2. When Nature’s Botox’ was forecast as the top beauty trend of 2013. The prediction was made by influential market intelligence company JWT with Manuka Doctor being highlighted as the industry’s leading Purified Bee Venom brand.
3. And seeing the Manuka Doctor ApiNourish Rejuvenating Face Mask on the shelf at Sephora …. It’s a beauty destination when you are looking for the newest trends and must have!
What has been the biggest challenge you've faced?
Timings for new product development. Some new products come together very quickly and others take far longer than anticipated. At Manuka Doctor, we only like to bring to market clinically proven products that have all been Dermatologically tested.
What does a normal day for you consist of?
No 2 days are the same. That’s the excitement of the industry – its always changing and new trends are always emerging. But its having the time and the resources to invest in research and assessing which is right for the brand and also effective. Packaging is also of major interest so discussing quality and bespoke opportunities with suppliers and going to trade expos to see what’s available continues to be important. Customer interaction is essential as well whether its in the Manuka Doctor concept store in Quay Street (Auckland), at our local and international retailers or online it’s a great way to get direct feedback from end users of the brand.
How do you relax?
With only 30-60 minutes spare – a Manuka Doctor Rejuvenating Face Mask and a magazine to read.
Slightly longer – a weekend away at the bach at Matarangi. The ApiRefine CC SPF20+ product is amazing for taking away. It’s a multipurpose product and a great summer replacement to a traditional foundation which I never wear as always found thick and heavy.
With more time – a holiday in an exciting new country that I haven’t been to before with my partner.
Can you give us a hint about what is next for you? - The person and the brand
For the Brand – Manuka Doctor has already left its mark on the beauty industry with 2 Best New Brand Wins …. Now I want Manuka Doctor Purified Bee Venom skincare to be a beauty staple for Kiwis and global skincare enthusiasts for years to come.
2014 is going to be a very exciting year for us as we continue to expand distribution of our unique Purified Bee Venom and Manuka Honey skincare ranges globally.
We also continuing to invest heavily into research and development in 2014 and have a further two new ranges to launch later on this year. So watch this space!
For Me, in early March I’m off to America to the world’s largest natural products expo to meet our existing distributors and retailers, plus talk to new interested parties and US Media … a lot of meetings, talking to people and time on your feet. A good excuse for a new pair of shoes from fabulous New Zealand designer Kathryn Wilson I think!!
Find out more by visiting www.manukadr.co.nz
Although I have heard great things I am still a little apprehensive about bee venom products... I need convincing